TBR Instant Classic: Recruiting, Showcases & Scouting

You are right Papabear..but the times are changing. DO NOT send a tape if not requested and if requested do not send a grainy ( which most are ) tape.

But (some) coaches are seeing benefits to watching videos. It can save them time and money by sifting through players in determining who to see and who not to follow. Also, the quality and professionalism of tapes have improved dramatically. Skillzshow is perhaps the best and most popular of the video business. The tapes have an amazing clarity.

Yes, most coaches discard of tapes and prefer a hands on approach in identifying prospects, but many are starting to understand how tapes can help screen prospects and save them time.

Of course, tapes will NEVER eliminate a coach's scouting of a player, but it can help organize their time in choosing which prospect to go see.

 

20 Questions

Based on an idea submitted by Prepster, we are in the process of gathering questions to ask of the area experts.

The topics that are covered in this round of 20 questions are:
1. College Recruiting
2. Scouting
3. Showcases

All questions submitted by you guys will be summarized, put in a legable format and submitted to people recognized as experts in the area and that work in the field professionally (no, Braves & I won't be answering any of the questions - we aren't that smart)

The response received will be posted on the board for all to see. A panel of volunteers (appointed by rcbbfan & Mudcat) will decide on which questions to submit.

Please state you question clearly and don't ramble too much. Individual circumstances can't be really covered in this format so ask as general of a question as you can.

This is a chance for some information SPECIFIC to getting into college baseball IN NORTH CAROLINA. There is NO SUCH THING AS A BAD QUESTION.

Fire away....
We can ask more than 20....I don't know when they will get tired of answering

 

How does the average college coach judge a players talent? Most of the coaches are spread so thin, they barely have time to see a player more than 1 or 2 times. Who has the coaches ear? Pro scouts? Do college coaches have birddogs?

 

For Showcases:

When should players consider attending showcases? Between the soph-junior year, junior-senior or both?

How is a showcase run?

For college coaches:

How do you want a player to express interest in your program?

When would be the earliest (in terms of school grade) that a player should begin contacting prospective schools?

Do you want to make the first contact or is it Ok if the student contacts you first?

When is an unofficial visit appropriate? What would you have the prospective student-athlete do prior to coming to visit your program?

 

Questions for the Non-tendered 03 Class:

For college coaches:

How do you address players who want to walk-on and are decent to very good HS player?

Do you reserve roster spots for walk-ons? Is there any special attribute in a walk-on player that you look at?

What is the difference between an walk-on and an invited walk-on?

For Showcases:

If you are already getting ready to graduate, is it too late to land a scholarship spot with a college? Is it uncommon?

 

A question for the college coach. How realistic is a walk-ons chance of making the squad. Mark Griffin (? Providence a couple of years back) made the Chapel Hill squad, but he is the only one i know of in recent times to walk on and make the squad.

 

College Coaches -

1. What gets a player into YOUR school?
2. How and when do YOU prioritize your short list?
3. What is your overal coaching philosophy
4. What is your advice to players that are HS Sophs this year?
5. How does a position player know as a hs soph what schools he should attempt to get into and play for? I am just thinking that you can only have a limited # of position players and if a prospective 3rd base guy wants to go to a school where the school has , an an example, 4 Third basemen on the roster would his chance of playing at that school be slim to none?

 

College Coaches:

1. Do you do more scouting at American Legion games or weekend "showcase" tournaments?

2. What two Showcase events would you recommend for players in NC to attend?

3. With only 11.3 scholarships available, does anyone get a "full ride" (athletic) to any college?

4. What is the normal class load for a player during the spring semester?

5. Do players attend college summer sessions to keep up grades and credit hours, or are they encouraged to play in a summer league instead?

6. Is there a minimum college GPA for a player to remain eligible for sports?

7. During the Fall and Spring semesters, how many hours per week are required by the coaches for conditioning, practice, games, etc?

Feel free to edit my questions for length or coherency!

 

SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT

I have recently acquired a major authority who can answer many of the questions posted. He is willing to help, but his time is limited due to scouting and coaching

But let me say this, this gentleman is truly one of the most knowledgeable coaches in the State and I'm delighted that he is going to help us out.

I'm waiting for his response on how he wants to be announced ( by name or by qualifications and keep his anonimity ), but I assure you he is well qualified.

Once he is on here we will post a sticky for his response

 

1. How do you judge character?

2. Does the feeling of his teammates about him effect you judgment of a player?

3. How important are skills & polish versus tools for a college player? For a draftee?

4. How do you rate intangibles? Do they bear much weight?

5. What role does academics play in your evaluations of players?

6. What is the best way to be seen by YOU!!